Dick Vermeil, the one-time San Jose State University quarterback who would go on to coach the St. Louis Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV, is one of eight National Football League coaching greats named as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class of 2020.
To celebrate the National Football League's 100th anniversary, a 15-member slate of head coaches, contributors, and players who last played more than 25 seasons ago will be enshrined with five "modern era" players in August and September.
More than 300 players, coaches and contributors were nominated for the Centennial Class of 2020.
Coaches joining Vermeil are Don Coryell of the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers; Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers; Tom Flores of the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders and Seattle Seahawks; Mike Holmgren of the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks; Jimmy Johnson of the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins; Buddy Parker of the Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Pittsburgh Steelers; and Dan Reeves of the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons.
Vermeil compiled an overall NFL coaching record of 126-114 in 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1976-82), Rams (1997-99) and Kansas City Chiefs (2001-05). He coached the Eagles to a then-unprecedented four consecutive playoff appearances including a trip to Super Bowl XV against the Raiders, the Rams to their first and only Super Bowl title, and the Chiefs to a 2003 playoff game.
Super Bowl XV was the first time in history two quarterbacks from opposing college teams coached against each other as head coaches in a Super Bowl. Vermeil was a San Jose State quarterback in 1956 and 1957 and faced College of the Pacific's quarterback Tom Flores in a game the Tigers won, 21-6, on November 9, 1957.
During his NFL coaching career, Vermeil was honored as a "Coach of the Year" in 1978, 1979, 1999, and 2003. At the NFL level, the San Jose State Sports Hall of Fame "legend" is enshrined in the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame and the St. Louis Rams Football Ring of Honor.
Vermeil is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time.
From the eight coaches, two will be named to the Centennial Class of 2020. They will join three "contributors" and 10 "senior" players for Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement. There are 10 "contributors" and 20 "senior" players named as finalists.
